Antibacterial products do more harm than good

The antibacterial products found absolutely everywhere nowadays aren’t really doing what they promise, and appear to be harming the environment instead. Not only did the FDA determine that there is “no added benefit” to using antimicrobial products in place of regular soap and water, but many of the toxic pesticides used to make products antiseptic resist water treatment efforts. TCC, the most commonly used antimicrobial, has been found in increasing amounts in surface water, municipal sludge (which is used to fertilize crop fields), and in as many as 60% of U.S. streams. It has been linked to cancer and reproductive disorders in mammals, and blue-baby syndrome in humans. And TCC’s relative, triclosan, is known to promote growth resistant bacteria such as E. coli.

The antibacterial product market has exploded over the last several years, and despite repeated urgings from the American Medical Association, TCC and other chemicals are currently not regulated. With no proof of any benefits, and as much as 1 million pounds of dangerous chemicals being released into the U.S. every year, this is proving to be one really bad idea.

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